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Prevention of Haemorrhoids
There is no guaranteed way of preventing piles, but a high fibre diet is a good place to start. This will reduce the risk of constipation and the straining to pass a stool that can cause haemorrhoids.
General recommendations are:
- Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (at least five portions every day).
- Cut down on fat (especially animal fat), sugary food, refined and processed food
- Eat plenty of pulses (eg peas, beans, lentils)
- Eat plenty of wholegrain foods (use the wholemeal varieties of bread, pasta and breakfast cereals)
- Drink alcohol in moderation.
A high-fibre diet is also best if you already have haemorrhoids. This helps to prevent constipation and avoid the straining to pass a stool that can make haemorrhoids worse.
Internal piles should be put back, if possible, by gentle pressure from your finger. This should be done while lying down. If piles will not go back, or are causing annoying symptoms, treatment may be needed.
The itching and discomfort from haemorrhoids can be relieved by various suppositories and ointments. Such measures are just to treat the symptoms and do not cure the condition.
